Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Will always remember the positive outlook you had on every situation. You were always smiling and joking around, even though your day wasn't going perfect. In the end You gave your all when it was requested of you. The citizens of Barrow and Jackson Counties have truly lost a great protector and a great friend. We know that you are still protecting us.

I did not die

Do not stand on my grave and weep
I am not there I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints in the snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am a gentle Autumns rain
When you awaken in the morning hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
I am the birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night
So do not stand on my grave and cry
I am not there.... I did not die


Our Prayers go out to you and your family.

R. Farmer
Winder Police Explorers (1995)

January 19, 2005

On behalf of the men and women of the La Habra Police Department we send our thoughts and condolences to the Pendergrass Police Department and the family of Officer Ruse. It doesn't matter where we work, when one of our brothers or sisters fall, we all feel the pain. Rest in peace Officer Ruse.

Sergeant Jeff Baylos
La Habra PD, California

January 18, 2005

When I was told about your death, a deep pain filled my heart. You were an angel among men. The brief time you were in my life, you made an unforgettable impression on me. Thank you for being a brother to me, and a HERO! Your love and warmth were freely and genuinely given. It was the gift God gave you, for the rest of us. God Bless Janine and those sweet children of yours! You will be sorely missed! And a person I hope to see again one day! Rest well my brother!!!!

Tina Burge
Former Winder Resident

January 17, 2005

We are deeply saddened at Chris' loss.
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We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
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Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

January 17, 2005

Chris, I remember when you first began working for Winder. Seemed as if you and I hit it off from the start. I have so many great memories you left me with. From the saftey talks with kids, the ear infection from the pie in the ear, and so many more. The night you were jumped and beaten down in the street, Phil and I heard you call for help. When we jumped the call, we never knew we would be surrounded when we arrived. Scared.. yess.... But we tried to help. I will never forget the heart felt thanks you came and gave us when you returned. You never knew what it meant to us. God had a different plan for you though. If there had been any way possible, I would have gave anything to try and help you again. The men and women you touched in your career will never forget you! All the people in this county have been blessed from your persistent strive to help and teach young children right from wrong. When a fellow Fire Fighter and I were suspended for trying to help another fallen Officer, it was you who passed the hat. Collecting a few dollars to help offset the money we lost. Chris, you were tops! We knew it then, and feel it now. We worked together, fought fire together, and broke bread together at the Lodge. Chris, the one thing I hope you and your family know is, you fought a good fight, always stayed the course, you walked the walk, and talked the talk. When you passed on to walk streets of gold, you left many open voids in all our hearts. It was clear on your final ride, seeing small children holding signs in your honor. It is said a mans life is measured by the souls he touched, seeing the people lined on the street, we never knew til then, just how lucky we were to have been your friend! Rest well my Friend! We will see you again one day!

Captain Todd Orr (ret.)
Winder Fire Departmen

January 14, 2005

Rest in Peace Brother

January 14, 2005

Rest in peace brother. Deepest sympathy
for family and friends. A true hero is
gone, but not forgotten.

January 13, 2005

Rest in Peace kind Brother, I used to work in the same county as you and was shocked to learn of your passing.
You were truley a good man and it seemed you always had words of wisdom for others before you departed.
You have left this earthly world but you are present with God now.
"Death is to be absent from the body but to be present with God"
You have touched the lives of so many people, you legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of many who you have helped along the way! Thank you Chris for everything, I'll see you when the roll get's called up yonder!!!!!!!!

January 12, 2005

Many small depts have BIG heroes such as Ptl. Ruse...May we never forget His sacrifice...Rest in Peace Blue Angel..

Officer Debra McFall Ross
EAst Buffalo Twp Police Dept, Lewisburg, Pa.

January 12, 2005

Officer Ruse, I will always remember you. I wont forget all that you have taught me. I will never forget your smile and I will never forget you attitude towards life. You have made an impact on my life as well as others. You are my hero, you were always there to answer any questions I had. Thank you for everything you have done for me. You will never be forgotten. Former Barrow County Sheriff Explorer Post 747. (Winder Georgia)

Explorer Chief Ben Haack
Gallatin Police Explorers Post 240 (Gallatin Tennessee)

January 12, 2005

To Christopher's family, friends and co-workers, I offer my deepest sympathy. I've lost several friends in my career, and it helps to know that the law enforcement family is so huge and supportive. You are not alone. God holds a special place for those who give their lives in the service of others. Please know that he rests in God's peace, and looks down lovingly upon you.

Sgt. Bill Richardson
Anchorage, Alaska PD

January 11, 2005

St. Michael, Heavens glorious commisioner of police, who once so neatly and successfully cleared God's premises of all its undesirables, look with kindly and professional eye on your earthly force.

Give us cool heads, stout hearts, hard punches, an uncanny flair for investigation and wise judgement.

Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores, strict with law-breakers and impervious to temptations.

You know, St. Michael, from your own experience with the devil that the policeman's lot on earth is not always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so pleased God, your hard knocks that so suprised the devil, and your angelic self-control give us inspiration.

And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your heavenly force, where we will be as proud to guard the throne of God as we have been to guard the city of men. Amen.

Police Officer
SLCPD

January 11, 2005

I always knew you were an awesome person, but I didn't realize just how awesome until you were gone. You were always singing funny songs and saying something about the "fleas of a thousand camels infesting the armpits of your enemies". I was grateful for the bullet hole you left in dispatch because I could park one of the wheels of the dispatch chair in the hole and lean back without just rolling away. :) I'll never forget your smile, your willingness to help anyone at anytime...you're an inspiration. I've read that the essence of love is giving: giving of yourself and of your time. You ALWAYS gave. You always thought of others before yourself. Your were selfless. You died as you lived...a servant and a hero. I love you and I miss you!

Communications Officer, Sandi Childs
Winder Police Department

January 11, 2005

CHRIS I WILL MISS YOU ALOT. YOU WAS FUN TO WORK WITH AND BE AROUND. YOU ALWAYS HAD A SMILE AND A FRIENDLY WORD TO SAY. CHRIS WAS A GUY WHO I CAN SAY GAVE 100% AT ALL TIMES. CHRIS WAS A FRIEND THAT WILL FOR EVER REMAIN IN MY
HEART. MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO ALL HIS FAMILY. CHRIS I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP IN HEAVEN.

former ptl. charles sorrells
winder police department

January 10, 2005

Chris, it is impossible to add to the thoughts already expressed. I will always remember you as the smiling jack-of-all-trades that you were.
A Marine.
A soldier.
An aviation maintainer.
A Boy Scout.
A deeply religious man.
A D.A.R.E. officer.
A bicycle patrolman.
A class clown.
An Officer who cared deeply for those you came into contact with every day. We're going to miss you, friend. Rest well until we meet again.

Darryl Gumz, Senior Parole Officer
GA Board of Pardons and Paroles

January 10, 2005

Lieutenant Ruse,

You are missed by several. You were a true leader and I would have followed you anywhere and done anything you told me too, because I know you had our backs and you took up for your people. You were a good friend,and a true and lawful brother. You will be missed and your family will stay in my prayers.

Tommy Ross

Sen. Ptl Tommy Ross
Winder Police Department

January 10, 2005

CHRIS I KNOW WE NEVER SAT DOWN AND EAT SUPPER, I KNOW WE NEVER MET AT EACH OTHERS HOUSE FOR A VISIT, I KNOW WE NEVER WORKED FOR THE SAME DEPT. I ALSO KNOW SINCE I HAVE BEEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT I HAVE WORKED PRETTY MUCH EVERY NIGHT THAT YOU HAVE WORKED. EVERYTIME YOU SAW ME YOU WOULD SPEAK AND EVERY TIME SOMETHING BAD WAS GOING ON IN JEFFERSON YOU WOULD AT LEAST LET US KNOW YOU WERE HERE IF WE NEEDED YOU. THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART. I KNOW THAT EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT BLOOD RELATION THAT YOU ARE IN FACT MY BROTHER IN BLUE. KNOWING THAT I WILL NEVER HEAR YOU SAY "STROLLING AND PATROLLING" WHEN RADIO 10-81'S ANYMORE IS HARD BUT I ALSO KNOW YOU LEFT US DOING WHAT YOU LOVED TO DO. I HAVE NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE NOW AND YOU ARE MAKING PEOPLE LAUGH TILL THEY CRY AT YOUR JOKES AND COMMENTS. YOU WILL BE MISSED AND I WILL ALWAYS HAVE YOUR BACK JUST LIKE I KNOW YOU WOULD HAVE HAD MINE. I LOVE YOU, REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER.

BILLY MCDANIEL
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT.

January 9, 2005

You will not be forgotten. Thank you for being a brother in blue. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Deputy Sheriff
Fayette County (GA) Sheriff's Department

January 9, 2005

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Winder/Carl/Pendergrass communities for the love and support they have shown to our son and brother Officer Chris Ruse. We are deeply humbled by your concern and we appreciate so much your and prayers on our behalf annd especially for Chris' wife and children. Words can not express our gradtitude for those who visited with the family at the funral home and told us stories about Chris. We will forever the kind words you shared with us. We also want to thank the owner, Mr. Smith, and all of the employees at the Smith Funeral home for the gracious service they provided to the family.
We want to thank all of the officers throughout the state that came to pay their respects to Chris. We were deeply, deeply touched. We especially want the Winder and Pendergrass police, paramedics, the school DARE program and all who worked with Chris to know how much we appreciate all that you have done. You all are wonderful examples of Christianty. Thank you to all the people who lined the street and especially to the school children for the signs they made expressing their to Chris.
We also want to thank the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Chris' ward for their love and concern for Chris and his family.
We know that Chris truly loved the people in Georgia and loved living and serving in the north Georgia area.
Thank you so much for who you are and who you represent.

Chris' Dad

The Ruse Family

January 8, 2005

rest in peace brother, you will never be forgotten " blessed are the peace makers "

Ptl. Ivan Davis
Ashburn Police Department (Georgia)

January 8, 2005

When senseless tragedies like this occurs it angers me. I do not express my feelings well. Know this my friend, you will be missed and I still can't believe it has happened. God always takes the best ones first. Rest in peace my friend. God watch over your family.

Sgt Randy Michael
Winder Police Department

January 7, 2005

GOD SPEED!! GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!!!!!

January 7, 2005

Rest in Peace brother in Blue. You did your time on Earth, now go rest high.

January 7, 2005

You were a great person even though you may have not remembered me but i remember you. You rocked me in kindergarton because i cried until my mom got there. You helped alot. I remember you teaching me the dare you were great at it. I want to say thank you!

school student in winder georgia
school student in winder georgia

January 7, 2005

The members of the Portsmouth Police Department's Auxiliary Unit wish to send their deepest sympathies to the family of Officer Chris Ruse.

Captain Ron Hyman
Portsmouth Police Department Auxiliary Bureau

January 7, 2005